Shakai Taishuto

The Shakai Taishuto party was a social democratic party which existed in Japan from 24 July 1932 to 6 July 1940. Founded by Christian socialist Abe Isoo, the party supported agrarian reform and cutting the military budget, but it supported Japanese aggression in Manchuria and had a relationship with the Toseiha faction of the Imperial Japanese Army. In 1937, it won 36 seats in the general election, the third-largest party and the largest left-wing party in Japan. Middle-class shopkeepers resentful of the zaibatsu corporations supported the party, which grew in power. However, it split in 1940 as supporters of national socialism (Nazi fascism) fought against supporters of social democracy, and the party grew nationalistic and militaristic until it joined the Imperial Rule Assistance Association on 6 July 1940. By 7 December 1941, it held 7% of seats in the Diet of Japan.